Tread for tractors.



r. HOFFKNECHT, TREAD FOR TRACTORS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. IL 1916 1,223,050, Patented Apr. 17,1917

- INVENTORQ- 1 mH/v HUFF/(NE'EHT name runs an ,mm ,nswwm o c r mlvrnorrxnnon'r, F I'MERCED, oALIroRma.

To all whom it mag concern.

Be .it known that I, F RANK Horrnxncrrr, acitizen of the UnitedStates,"residing at Merced, in the county of Merced, State of California, haveinvented a new and useful f Tread forTractors, of which the following isa specification in. such full and clear terms as will enable thoseskilled in the art to 'construct and use the same.

This invention relates to a tread for tractors and its object is toproduce a tread, parts of which may be readily renewed whenevernecessary and which will have 1 suitable means for preventing the accessof dust to the working parts thereof.

It will be understood bv those skilled in the art that this inventionapplies to tractors ofthat type in which a chain passes over a series ofwheels and which chain forms the surface over which the tractor travels,there being from four to six feet of chain in contact with the ground atall times.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

, An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing in which thesame reference numeral is applied to the same portion throughout, but Iam aware that there may bemany modifications thereof,

F igure 1 is a side elevation of two of the tread links,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of two of the tread links,

tractor link atone of the connecting pins,

Fig. 3 isa vertical. sectional view of the Fig. 4 is a transversesectional view of one of the connecting pins and the tube Within whichit operates showing the wear plates, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pin used for connecting two of thelinks together. I

The numeral '1 represents the corrugated plates which lie incontact'with the ground. 'said plates having curved portions 2 and 3which overlap and which are formed on a curve, whose center is at thecenter of the pin 4, which connects the two links 5 and 6 together. Thelinks 5 and 6 have flanged side pieces 7 and 8 which extendlonsrltudinally with respect to the chain and said side pieces areconnected by means of an Specification of Letters Patent;

PatentedApr. 17, 1917. Application filed Apri112, 1916. Serial No.90,638. a 1 V contact with each other without opening up. therebypreventing the dirt and mud from working up on to the top of theplatesl.

At the sides of the members 7 andfi there are tubular projections 10 and11, which projections receive felt washers 12 and 13,

which washers fill the space between the adoinmg link members. the innerside of the outer link members being flanged as inclicated at ll toprovide a receptacle for the felt washers 12 and 13 and said flangeshave slots cut at 15 and 16. to allow the links to be assembled. Theconnecting pins i each have a kev as indicated at 17 to prevent themfrom turning, and on one side they have a recess to receive a halfbushing 18, while thetubular member 9 is recessed to receive an op--positely placed half tubular bushing 19. The bushing 18 extends throughthe outside members the full length of the pin 4: in order to prevent itfrom turning should it become worn. The pin is held in place by means ofa suitable washer 20 and cotter pin 21.

Since the load is carried by rollers which is placed a tubular oilreceptacle 2(3- which is supported on two lugs 27 and 28 extending fromthe side members of the links. A pipe 29 enables the oil to run into thetubular sleeve 9 whenever the tank is above the sleeve and the tank isfilled by means of a cap 30.

The removable corrugated plates 1 are connected to the flanges of thelinks by means of suitable bolts-51 and 32.

In order to prevent the sprockets from wearing out the main castingswhich form the chain. the connecting cross bar 9 is covered with arenewable sleeve S) held in place thereon by means of rivets 9".

Having thus described my inventionwhat I claim as new and desire tosecure by Let- 1. A'tractor tread comprising a plurality of links eachhaving two side members with an integral tubular connecting member atone end of the side members, one link being adapted to fit over anotherlink, a pin pix'ot-.

all connecting the two links, oppositely projecting collars at each sideof two connected links, a groove around each collar, a packing in saidgroove, two wear plates, one let into the pin and the other into thetubular member, and bearing plates connected to" the links.

2. A tractor tread comprising a plurality of links each having two. sidemembers with an integral tubular member connecting them at one end, onelinkbeing adapted to fit said links being formed with over another link,a pin pivotally connect ing each pair of links, oppositely projectingcollars on each side of the two connecting links, said links beingformed with a groove around each collar, a packing in each groove, twowear plates one let into the pin and the other into the tubular member,an oil receptacle and means to deliver oil therefrom to said pin, lugscarried by the links for support of said oil receptacle, immovable 1ground bearing plates connecting-;.w ith the 'links and removable wearplates seouredtn the links on the opposite side thereh'0m'to the groundplates.

In testimony whereof I have'hereunto set my hand this 5th day of April,A. D. 1916.

FR ANK HOFFKXECHT. \Vitnesses:

J. M. OLIVER, K. J. EASLY, J r.

